Should I bother to reapply?

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Hello,

I had previously shadowed and interviewed on a unit I would really LOVE to work on, about 5 or 6 months ago. Unfortunately I totally bombed the interview and it was my own fault for not preparing well. I was going through the buying and selling process on a home and my focus was on that, to the point that I just could not get my mind off of the worry.

They have posted another position in that same unit and I am wondering if I should bother applying? Should I just explain the situation in my cover letter? Or just write a normal cover letter and pretend it didn't happen, although of course I know they will know. I am just wondering if I should bother since they may not be willing to give me a second chance. ( I know I bombed the interview, because the shadow was before that and it went wonderful. I just stumbled on some of the behavioral type questions because my mind was so preoccupied)!

Thank you for any input!

Annie

[Everline]

Personally, I would not send a cover letter of excuses about my performance in a past interview. YMMV, but that doesn't seem appropriate to me. Write a good cover letter/resume and send it in. What's the hurt in trying? The worse they can do is not interview you and that will definitely happen if you don't try. Of course, if they do schedule an interview, you will prepare for it, including preparing for what you might say if the topic of your last interview arises. (There's a possibility it wasn't as bad as you think, btw.) The good thing is you know what kinds of questions they will be asking and therefore can prepare very well.

[purplegal]

I probably would not bother reapplying to some place that has already rejected me once. My thought is, if they really wanted me, they would look past my interview performance and hire me anyway. At the same time, there's never been a particular job that I felt that I really wanted or needed. So, if you do decide to reapply, I would also say leave out the information about your previous interview, including the part about buying a new house at the time. Writing a new, fresh cover letter would be more professional, and you never know--they may not remember you as well as you think. Of course, with any job application, there is always the possibility that they may not offer you an interview, so you are right to keep that in mind. But, no job application always means no job interview as well. With that said, if you do reapply, keep the cover letter professional, and prepare yourself for the questions they will ask you, if you are offered another interview. If they do not offer you another interview, it is probably time to move on from this job, and focus on something else.

[Sour Lemon]

Did they specifically say that your interview was the problem? Maybe there was just a better candidate ...or maybe the shadow seemed to go well to you, but the person you were with was doing some Oscar-worthy acting.

I say it can't hurt to reapply, but definitely don't include excuses in your cover letter.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

For all you know, HR and/or management could have changed in the past 5 months and they may not even know who you are. Actually, even if the managers haven't changed, they still might not remember you. If you still want to work there, reapply and go into it with a clean slate.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

It's never a bother to reapply. All they could do would be to say no again. Certainly do not make any explanations in a cover letter.

Best of luck:up:

[AliNajaCat]

Yep. Nothing to lose, everything to gain.

Go for it.

[AceOfHearts<3]

I probably would not bother reapplying to some place that has already rejected me once.

I don't fully agree with this. I interviewed at a hospital as a new grad and did not get hired. I found another hospital job and after getting experience I applied again to the first hospital. It's a different unit (a higher level of care) and I received the job.

I generally say it never hurts to ask (or try). Who knows, maybe they were torn between several excellent candidates (that has happened on my unit before- the manager asked for our input and everybody liked both candidates, but there was just one position).

Good luck!

[klone, MSN, RN]

As a hiring manager, when I post a new position, I don't go back to old applications or resumes. I go with the ones that applied for THIS position, because I don't have the time to pursue someone who applied before. For all I know, they're no longer interested or have found another job. So yes, I would definitely encourage you to reapply.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Ok, I will reapply tomorrow then! Thank you everyone for the words of wisdom and encouragement !

Annie

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

My dream job, physician office, with those wonderful hours......

But it took my third application to get hired.......been at the job almost 4 years.....

so you have nothing to loose, and everything to gain.....

best wishes

[DeeAngel]

Pretend nothing happened, submit a normal resume and apply. The very worst thing that will happen is that they will say no. If they do, keep reapplying when an opening comes up.